Miller, Paul propel Team New Blue past Team Red in Showcase opener

Ottawa Nepean Canadians and Team New Blue first baseman Ben Paul drove in the game-winning run Tuesday during Game 1 of the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Photo Credit: Ethan Gabor

September 16, 2025

By Michael Coyle

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO - Ben Paul (Ottawa, Ont.) had an RBI double in the sixth inning to help Team New Blue defeat Team Red 6-1 in the opening game of the 11th annual Canadian Futures Showcase on Tuesday at Rogers Centre.

The Ottawa Nepean Canadians infielder and Midland University commit drove in Louis-Charles Larouche (Okotoks, Alta.), who walked and stole second to get himself into scoring position to break the 1-1 deadlock. Team New Blue shortstop Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) was named Player of the Game, recording three hits, two RBIs and a run in the win.

"It was the first game, pitchers are eager to throw a first-pitch fastball and try and get it by you, so I was just geared up trying to catch a fastball up front and I managed to do that a couple of times," Miller said after the game.

Team New Blue added four runs in the bottom of the seventh before the game was called.

Team New Blue starting pitcher Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Port Credit, Ont.) went three innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five. Reliever Tyler McWhinnie (Nanaimo, B.C.) picked up the win while Oscar Leah (Maple Ridge, B.C.) earned the save. The two relievers picked up where Nantais-Vlahovich left off, combining to throw four no-hit innings with one walk and seven strikeouts.

Team Red scored their only run in the top of the third inning on a groundout by Matthew Kolodziej (Oakville, Ont.). Kolodziej’s groundout scored Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.), who tripled to lead off the inning.

Team Red starting pitcher Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, Ont.) allowed one run on two hits, including a leadoff double in the second by Miller, who would come around to score the game's first run.

Miller is hoping this tournament can be a springboard for his baseball career.

"People come here trying to get looked at by colleges and hopefully pro scouts, so I just want to put myself in a better position going into my last year of high school baseball," Miller said.

Sabourin was relieved by Lukas McDowell (Kingston, Ont.), who picked up the loss after allowing one run on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts over three innings.

Team Red reliever Jasper Bakkar (Port Perry, Ont.) struggled with his command after entering the game in the bottom of the seventh, surrendering four runs while walking three batters and hitting two.

Next up: Team New Blue is back in action on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. against Team Grey with Michael Ham (Aylmer, Ont.) expected to start. Team Red squares off Wednesday afternoon against Team Navy with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. when they hand Aaron Monterroza (Brantford, Ont.) the ball.